General Requirements
To become an ISA CAP®, you must apply, meet the education and work experience requirements, and pass an exam. By paying the application fee, you are confirming that you are aware of, have met, and can document that you meet the requirements for the certification. You will be eligible to sit for the exam when you have met all of the following criteria:
- Commit to the ISA Code of Conduct
- Be fully compliant with CAP certification criteria, qualifications, and conditions
- Acknowledge that you are subject to a random application verification audit, and you fully agree to provide the supporting documents proving your qualifications
Education and Work Experience Requirements
If you hold a four-year technical degree:
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Evidence of technical degree
Four-year academic degree from an accredited educational institution in a technical or technology field including engineering, chemistry, physics, math, etc.. -
Related work experience
Related experience means a minimum of five years of work in the automation field. One year of work experience is defined as 1,500 hours of active employment. A cumulative total of 7,500 hours of documented work experience is required during the five-year period prior to your application date. Passing the CAP Associate certificate program exam counts as one year of work experience, or 1,500 hours toward the 7,500 total hours required.
If you hold a two-year degree or do not have a degree:
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Related work experience
Related experience means a minimum of ten years of work in the automation field. One year of work experience is defined as 1,500 hours of active employment. A cumulative total of 15,000 hours of documented work experience is required during the ten-year period prior to your application date. An associate degree in automation or a related technology from an accredited educational institution will count as two years of work experience. Passing the CAP Associate certificate program exam counts as one year of work experience, or 1,500 hours toward the 15,000 hour total. -
Evidence of responsible charge position
Two work related references should be submitted that demonstrate that the applicant has had at least two years of experience in automation in a position of responsible charge. Each reference should be completed and signed by a former supervisor, or someone who is in a position to attest to the applicant’s responsibilities. At least one of the references must be signed by a current or former supervisor.Responsible charge does not refer to management control or administrative functions, such as accounting, labor relations, or marketing. The span of control necessary to be considered in a position of responsible charge includes:
- Personally makes critical automation project decisions, or reviews and approves proposed decisions prior to implementation, including consideration of alternatives.
OR
- Judges the quality of other technical specialists and the validity and applicability of their recommendations before such recommendations are incorporated in the work.
Work experience and educational periods may not overlap when compiling the total number of years required for this certification.
Application Audit
ISA reserves the right to audit information provided in your certification application. A random selection of applications will be chosen for audit each year. Any CAP applicant selected for audit will receive notification via email and/or US Mail at the address of record. It is the applicants' responsibility to maintain their current, preferred address with ISA to ensure notifications are received.
If your application has been selected, you will be required to verify your employment history, position of responsible charge, apprenticeship training and/or education as it relates to your application eligibility. Applicants who are audited must complete the CAP Audit Documentation Form (PDF) and return it with all necessary documentation to ISA within 60 days of audit notification. Failure to do so will result in revocation of your application and certification.